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Skidmore News
Vol. 60, No.3, Thursday, February 21, 1980 Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Lee Peyser at the White House
Skidmore was one of the 300 colleges and Universities of the nation invited to the White House to attend the February meeting of student body leaders with President Carter and cabinet members. Leland A. Peyser, President of the College Government Association, had the honor of representing the Skidmore student body. Although both "foreign and domestic policy issues were cited as topics of discussion, Peyser realized that Carter, Eisenstat, and Brzezinski would be necessarily stressing the reinstatement of selective service; a student survey on registration was conducted at Skidmore prior to his departure.
Anne Wexler, assistant to the President in the Public Liason Office (also an alumna of Skidmore) greeted the student leaders and then introduced Zbigniew Brzezinski. Brzezinski's foreign policy speech was followed with a second briefing on domestic policy, presented by Start Eisenstat. Though these briefings were primarily overviews of the Carter Administration, Peyser sensed a tendency on the parts of the speakers' Brzezinski and Eisenstat, to make only those points which would later in the Presidents presentation, positively reinforce the Carter position on registration. Sure enough, the crux of the President's afternoon speech was indeed registration. It was a straightforward speech, espousing what is now commonly referred to as the "Carter Doctrine," which purports acceptance of responsibility for the violation of international law in Iran; the regulation of world supplies and peace in the Middle East; and the preparedness through numbers of guns and numbers of registered 19 and 20 year-olds.
The registration that Carter has called for would require all 19 and 20 year-olds (including college students) to register their names with the federal government through any one of the 344,000 accessible post-office outlets. Registration is a basic computerized data file of names and addresses. It entails no medical exams, no classifications, and no exemptions. Eliminations and divisions would take place only if Carter, with the consent of Congress, should move to enact an actual draft. Registration is merely a method whereby the government is able to save anywhere from between several weeks to several months. In the advent of a real crisis such time is critical in the preparation of an army. Dr. Bernard Roskter, Director of the Selective Service System, advised Carter to begin registration with those persons 19 AND 20 YEARS OF AGE. They will presumably provide our nation with the needed numbers: Four million males and four million females. If the President should call upon the entire 18-26 year-old group, the pool would exceed 16 million in the forces which exceeds immediate needs.
The President authority to reinstate selective service depends upon Congress's authority to approve and provide the necessary funds to actually implement such a registration effort. Projected costs, even if conducted in a most economical fashion would be at least 20.5 million in fiscal 1980 and 24.5 in fiscal 1981.
Student leaders have overwhelmingly opposed registration. Says Peyser, "Students are fearful that once you start registration, it will lead to draft." Student leaders are respectful of their country, he continued, but they are also protective of the individual's right to determine the course of his/her life. Peyser's point is amply illustrated by the student response to Brzezinski's question about how many of them would volunteer to fight for their nation; virtually every person in the State Room raised their hand. Yet, when asked how many would actually sanction registration, very few indicated that they would.
Registration, if Congress should pass the bill this second time around, will be enforced by January 1, 1981 with rigid penalties -5 years' imprisonment or a 10,000 fine- if abridged. These stiff penalties and the absence of any tangible draft card, should remove the pending registration from the realm of Vietnam-type hysterics. BUt the protest shouts now being heard on college campuses nationwide broach the real issue with slogans such as "Hell No. We Won't Go. We Won't Fight for Texaco."
Skidmore students expressed some of their opinions in 166 responses to the College Government Association's survey, "Should the United States Revive the Draft?" The majority of students, 63 percent, support registration for a possible draft in the future; 31 percent oppose it, and 6 percent are undecided. However, 52 percent indicated that they are against the reinstitution of the draft, while 45 percent support the draft and 3 percent remain undecided. Most Skidmore students, 53 percent, feel that college students should be exempt from the draft, though 34 percent feel that they should not and 13 percent are undecided. Most, 49 percent, feel that draft registration would send an important signal to the Soviet Union; 39 percent do not. As for the conscription of women, 48 percent of those who responded are opposed to including women in the draft; 40 are for such inclusion, and 12 percent are undecided.
Peyser is skeptical of the need for registration. He feels that there are ways out of U.S. involvement in the Persian Gulf which are equally valid. Peyser feels that the "simple sacrifice" of economizing is preferable to the obviously greater sacrifice of lives. Says Peyser:"Asimple sacrifice such as gas rationing, decreased energy use via taxation methods, penalties ensuring very stringent use of automobiles, and improvements in mass
Cont. on page 5
Lee Peyser goes to Washington
Student Life Meeting
By Toni Lee
The Second Student Life Meeting for’ the 1979-8U school year took place on Thursday, February 14, in the Gannett Auditorium. The purpose of such Student Life Meetings are to formally acknowledge student concerns and to raise Trustee awareness of these concerns. Among the many issues presented to the Trustees, triple room accommodations and the sports program appeared both the most important and the most controversial issues addressed by the students.
Mrs. Ester Lacy, Chairperson of the Student Life Committee for the Board of Trustees, opened the meeting by wishing those present a Happy Valentines Day, and by reminding us that we (the students) "are in the hearts of the Trustees" as we are "the heart of the college." Mrs. Lacy introduced the other members of the Life Committee and then turned the floor over to Leland Peyser, president of the College Government Association.
The first topic on the agenda was the Treasurers report. David Greenberg, acting as proxy for Executive Treasurer Richard Harwood, presented the report to those assembled. Greenberg elaborated on the CGA budget for this fiscal year, which was 174,000, and which is expected to increase by a 7 to 8 percent margin for fiscal year 1981. The projected fiscal budget for 1981 has tentatively been set at $200,000.
Priscilla Rockwell presented the Nursing Report to the Trustees. The class of 1980 according to Ms. Rockwell, is the first class to graduate under the new "Theoretical" curriculum. Additionally, the Nursing Department has been accredited this year; the department will not be re-evaluated for another seven years. Ms. Rockwell also requested additional safety precautions be taken in the New York City nursing dorm. The nursing dorm houses 100 women, and it is the general concensus that an improved security system would greatly reduce the inherent dangers of city living.
Linda Perani, the first vice president for CGA, explained the problems incurred by the Course Evaluations Committee, noting the fact that the Committee, which has been working for the past year, is "back at the drawing board." Ms. Perani went on to discuss the communication problem which exists within the sports program. She suggested that a student be placed with the Office of College of Information, to give publicity to the athletic teams.
Leland Peyser, representing COSP(Committee on Sports Program), recommended Dr. Leon Corse for the position of P.E. Chairman/Athletic Director interviews with candidates for this position, and felt that Dr. Corse would best suit the students needs.
The next item on the agenda was the WSPN report. Jane Limbocker, the Station Manager for the radio station, expounded
cont. on page 4
Afghanistan
By Barbara Dugan
WITT: Some observers, myself included, feel that the United States' reaction to the (Soviet) invasion was disproportionate to the provocation-and I'm curious to know what you consider to be the major change in Soviet foreign policy which justifies the enormous U.S. response?
WALES: The invasion of a neighbor.
WITT: The Soviet Union had had influence in Afghanistan since 1953...
WALES: which makes it even more staggering that they felt it was necessary to invade.
WITT: What was the American response to the Qadir-Taraki revolution of 1978?
WALES: It was nowhere near as strong as this response.
WITT: Last summer it was reported (in the N.Y. Times) that there were some 3000 Russians in Afghanistan, a thousand of them being military advisors. And I do recall that there were diplomatic protests going back and forth between the United States and the Soviet Union, and they were arguing that we were guilty of intervention by virtue of whatever covert assistance to the Afghan rebels..Has there been any assistance to the Afghan rebels?
WALES: ...The answer is no.
WITT: How about indirect assistance with respect to American arms?
WALES: No, we have not. It has been contrary to American foreign policy, certainly with the Carter Administration, to interfere in the international affairs of a government, and we would consider that internal affairs.
WITT: Last August there were rebels within Afghanistan who proclaimed an Islamic republic. (Why was there)... no positive American response to that move at the time, if there was and American concern for an excess of Soviet presense in that country?
WALES: I don't know of the separatist move that you are referring to. The problem is that you're not speaking to an authority on Afghanistan which is the reason why I have to madly thumb through (my) notes. So I will have to answer not knowing exactly what this separatist movement was, but to say again, that that would be meddling in the international affairs of a government.
WITT: Would the United States be prepared to accept the status quo ante, as of December 1979?
WALES: Yes, which would be the removal of the troops.
WITT: But at that time there already were substantial Soviet troops within the country...
WALES: ...Substantial advisors, they were all referred to as advisors and peace keeping forces and, yes, we have already stated that we are willing to return to that.
Cont. on page 9
Official Denies Covert Aid to Afghan Rebels
A State Department official denied that the United States has been providing covert assistance to the Afghan Rebels. The New York Times reported February 17 that the Central Intelligence Agency has been supplying arms since mid-January. In an interview conducted February 8, Jane Wales categorically denied U.S. involvement. Wales is Special Assistant to Hodding Carter III, the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
Ms. Wales represented the State Department on a panel discussion of the 1980 Summer Olympics at the Olympic Symposium hosted by Skidmore College. Prior to the discussion, Ms. Wales was interviewed by Dr. Stuart Witt, Associate Professor of Government at Skidmore. The following is the first of a three-part special containing excerpts from the interview.

Skidmore News
Vol. 60, No.3, Thursday, February 21, 1980 Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
Lee Peyser at the White House
Skidmore was one of the 300 colleges and Universities of the nation invited to the White House to attend the February meeting of student body leaders with President Carter and cabinet members. Leland A. Peyser, President of the College Government Association, had the honor of representing the Skidmore student body. Although both "foreign and domestic policy issues were cited as topics of discussion, Peyser realized that Carter, Eisenstat, and Brzezinski would be necessarily stressing the reinstatement of selective service; a student survey on registration was conducted at Skidmore prior to his departure.
Anne Wexler, assistant to the President in the Public Liason Office (also an alumna of Skidmore) greeted the student leaders and then introduced Zbigniew Brzezinski. Brzezinski's foreign policy speech was followed with a second briefing on domestic policy, presented by Start Eisenstat. Though these briefings were primarily overviews of the Carter Administration, Peyser sensed a tendency on the parts of the speakers' Brzezinski and Eisenstat, to make only those points which would later in the Presidents presentation, positively reinforce the Carter position on registration. Sure enough, the crux of the President's afternoon speech was indeed registration. It was a straightforward speech, espousing what is now commonly referred to as the "Carter Doctrine," which purports acceptance of responsibility for the violation of international law in Iran; the regulation of world supplies and peace in the Middle East; and the preparedness through numbers of guns and numbers of registered 19 and 20 year-olds.
The registration that Carter has called for would require all 19 and 20 year-olds (including college students) to register their names with the federal government through any one of the 344,000 accessible post-office outlets. Registration is a basic computerized data file of names and addresses. It entails no medical exams, no classifications, and no exemptions. Eliminations and divisions would take place only if Carter, with the consent of Congress, should move to enact an actual draft. Registration is merely a method whereby the government is able to save anywhere from between several weeks to several months. In the advent of a real crisis such time is critical in the preparation of an army. Dr. Bernard Roskter, Director of the Selective Service System, advised Carter to begin registration with those persons 19 AND 20 YEARS OF AGE. They will presumably provide our nation with the needed numbers: Four million males and four million females. If the President should call upon the entire 18-26 year-old group, the pool would exceed 16 million in the forces which exceeds immediate needs.
The President authority to reinstate selective service depends upon Congress's authority to approve and provide the necessary funds to actually implement such a registration effort. Projected costs, even if conducted in a most economical fashion would be at least 20.5 million in fiscal 1980 and 24.5 in fiscal 1981.
Student leaders have overwhelmingly opposed registration. Says Peyser, "Students are fearful that once you start registration, it will lead to draft." Student leaders are respectful of their country, he continued, but they are also protective of the individual's right to determine the course of his/her life. Peyser's point is amply illustrated by the student response to Brzezinski's question about how many of them would volunteer to fight for their nation; virtually every person in the State Room raised their hand. Yet, when asked how many would actually sanction registration, very few indicated that they would.
Registration, if Congress should pass the bill this second time around, will be enforced by January 1, 1981 with rigid penalties -5 years' imprisonment or a 10,000 fine- if abridged. These stiff penalties and the absence of any tangible draft card, should remove the pending registration from the realm of Vietnam-type hysterics. BUt the protest shouts now being heard on college campuses nationwide broach the real issue with slogans such as "Hell No. We Won't Go. We Won't Fight for Texaco."
Skidmore students expressed some of their opinions in 166 responses to the College Government Association's survey, "Should the United States Revive the Draft?" The majority of students, 63 percent, support registration for a possible draft in the future; 31 percent oppose it, and 6 percent are undecided. However, 52 percent indicated that they are against the reinstitution of the draft, while 45 percent support the draft and 3 percent remain undecided. Most Skidmore students, 53 percent, feel that college students should be exempt from the draft, though 34 percent feel that they should not and 13 percent are undecided. Most, 49 percent, feel that draft registration would send an important signal to the Soviet Union; 39 percent do not. As for the conscription of women, 48 percent of those who responded are opposed to including women in the draft; 40 are for such inclusion, and 12 percent are undecided.
Peyser is skeptical of the need for registration. He feels that there are ways out of U.S. involvement in the Persian Gulf which are equally valid. Peyser feels that the "simple sacrifice" of economizing is preferable to the obviously greater sacrifice of lives. Says Peyser:"Asimple sacrifice such as gas rationing, decreased energy use via taxation methods, penalties ensuring very stringent use of automobiles, and improvements in mass
Cont. on page 5
Lee Peyser goes to Washington
Student Life Meeting
By Toni Lee
The Second Student Life Meeting for’ the 1979-8U school year took place on Thursday, February 14, in the Gannett Auditorium. The purpose of such Student Life Meetings are to formally acknowledge student concerns and to raise Trustee awareness of these concerns. Among the many issues presented to the Trustees, triple room accommodations and the sports program appeared both the most important and the most controversial issues addressed by the students.
Mrs. Ester Lacy, Chairperson of the Student Life Committee for the Board of Trustees, opened the meeting by wishing those present a Happy Valentines Day, and by reminding us that we (the students) "are in the hearts of the Trustees" as we are "the heart of the college." Mrs. Lacy introduced the other members of the Life Committee and then turned the floor over to Leland Peyser, president of the College Government Association.
The first topic on the agenda was the Treasurers report. David Greenberg, acting as proxy for Executive Treasurer Richard Harwood, presented the report to those assembled. Greenberg elaborated on the CGA budget for this fiscal year, which was 174,000, and which is expected to increase by a 7 to 8 percent margin for fiscal year 1981. The projected fiscal budget for 1981 has tentatively been set at $200,000.
Priscilla Rockwell presented the Nursing Report to the Trustees. The class of 1980 according to Ms. Rockwell, is the first class to graduate under the new "Theoretical" curriculum. Additionally, the Nursing Department has been accredited this year; the department will not be re-evaluated for another seven years. Ms. Rockwell also requested additional safety precautions be taken in the New York City nursing dorm. The nursing dorm houses 100 women, and it is the general concensus that an improved security system would greatly reduce the inherent dangers of city living.
Linda Perani, the first vice president for CGA, explained the problems incurred by the Course Evaluations Committee, noting the fact that the Committee, which has been working for the past year, is "back at the drawing board." Ms. Perani went on to discuss the communication problem which exists within the sports program. She suggested that a student be placed with the Office of College of Information, to give publicity to the athletic teams.
Leland Peyser, representing COSP(Committee on Sports Program), recommended Dr. Leon Corse for the position of P.E. Chairman/Athletic Director interviews with candidates for this position, and felt that Dr. Corse would best suit the students needs.
The next item on the agenda was the WSPN report. Jane Limbocker, the Station Manager for the radio station, expounded
cont. on page 4
Afghanistan
By Barbara Dugan
WITT: Some observers, myself included, feel that the United States' reaction to the (Soviet) invasion was disproportionate to the provocation-and I'm curious to know what you consider to be the major change in Soviet foreign policy which justifies the enormous U.S. response?
WALES: The invasion of a neighbor.
WITT: The Soviet Union had had influence in Afghanistan since 1953...
WALES: which makes it even more staggering that they felt it was necessary to invade.
WITT: What was the American response to the Qadir-Taraki revolution of 1978?
WALES: It was nowhere near as strong as this response.
WITT: Last summer it was reported (in the N.Y. Times) that there were some 3000 Russians in Afghanistan, a thousand of them being military advisors. And I do recall that there were diplomatic protests going back and forth between the United States and the Soviet Union, and they were arguing that we were guilty of intervention by virtue of whatever covert assistance to the Afghan rebels..Has there been any assistance to the Afghan rebels?
WALES: ...The answer is no.
WITT: How about indirect assistance with respect to American arms?
WALES: No, we have not. It has been contrary to American foreign policy, certainly with the Carter Administration, to interfere in the international affairs of a government, and we would consider that internal affairs.
WITT: Last August there were rebels within Afghanistan who proclaimed an Islamic republic. (Why was there)... no positive American response to that move at the time, if there was and American concern for an excess of Soviet presense in that country?
WALES: I don't know of the separatist move that you are referring to. The problem is that you're not speaking to an authority on Afghanistan which is the reason why I have to madly thumb through (my) notes. So I will have to answer not knowing exactly what this separatist movement was, but to say again, that that would be meddling in the international affairs of a government.
WITT: Would the United States be prepared to accept the status quo ante, as of December 1979?
WALES: Yes, which would be the removal of the troops.
WITT: But at that time there already were substantial Soviet troops within the country...
WALES: ...Substantial advisors, they were all referred to as advisors and peace keeping forces and, yes, we have already stated that we are willing to return to that.
Cont. on page 9
Official Denies Covert Aid to Afghan Rebels
A State Department official denied that the United States has been providing covert assistance to the Afghan Rebels. The New York Times reported February 17 that the Central Intelligence Agency has been supplying arms since mid-January. In an interview conducted February 8, Jane Wales categorically denied U.S. involvement. Wales is Special Assistant to Hodding Carter III, the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
Ms. Wales represented the State Department on a panel discussion of the 1980 Summer Olympics at the Olympic Symposium hosted by Skidmore College. Prior to the discussion, Ms. Wales was interviewed by Dr. Stuart Witt, Associate Professor of Government at Skidmore. The following is the first of a three-part special containing excerpts from the interview.